of high karat hollow gold, these fine gold earrings of stylized star form, feature eight matching cabochon garnets of striking color surrounded by detailed granulation and inlaid at the square top and at each of the six points, with the largest stone in the center. Three bells of sheet gold hang below on fine chain gold wire and actually "tinkle" when worn.

Gold jewelry such as these earrings were discovered in graves located at Nineveh in northern Iraq, near the ancient border between Parthia and Imperial Rome. They demonstrate how Roman cultural practices gradually influenced Eastern burial customs.

The British Museum attribute this style to finds from Parthian graves within the great Assyrian city of Nineveh (for a very similar example see museum number 132933 in the British Museum's Middle East collection).

Condition: The main body of the earrings are completely original, including the matching garnets and gold drops, the professional addition of 18K gold bales and ear posts, copied from the original, allow them to be worn and cherished once more. Overall the earrings are intact and in excellent condition. They are quite lovely, light and very easy to wear.

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LOOKING TO SELL?

Or, would you just like to know what you have? As a member of the International Society of Appraisers, Sue McGovern, President of Sands of Time can provide you with a professional valuation of your existing pieces and advise how best to place loved objects so they form part of new collections.

We accept both individual ancient objects and entire collections for sale or consignment. Contact us or phone 202 342 0518 for further details.